Bee: Abdur-Rahim lifts Kings past Suns

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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13822805p-14663595c.html

The Associated Press

Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored Sacramento's final six points and sealed the victory with a blocked shot in the final seconds as the Kings beat the Phoenix Suns 118-117 on Sunday night.


Abdur-Rahim broke a 114-114 tie when he made an 8-footer in the lane with 30 seconds left. Leandro Barbosa answered with a 3-pointer to put the Suns up 117-116. Abdur-Rahim then hit two free throws with 13.3 seconds left for the final margin.

He also blocked a layup by Boris Diaw -- Phoenix's last good attempt to pull out the win. With 0.7 seconds left, Jim Jackson inbounded the ball to Brian Grant, but his 16-footer from the side was short, denying coach Mike D'Antoni his 100th victory.

Peja Stojakovic had 33 points to lead the Kings (1-2). Abdur-Rahim had 23 and 12 rebounds and Brad Miller added 17 and 10. Mike Bibby had his best game of the young season with 19 points and Bonzi Wells scored 16.

Barbosa led eight double-figure scorers for the Suns with 23. Steve Nash had 18 points and 13 assists, and Shawn Marion had 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Diaw, another reserve, had 11 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds.

Miller also came up big for the Kings with two key plays in the 20-second span before Abdur-Rahim's heroics. Miller got a defensive rebound that led to Abdur-Rahim's tip-in that tied it at 114-all with 40 seconds to go.

Seconds later, Miller took a charge from Marion for a turnover, setting up the dramatic finish.

The Suns made up a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter, taking the lead at 111-110 on a three-point play by Marion with 3:06 left to play and regaining it at 113-112 on a three-point play by Barbosa with 1:23 to go after two free throws by Miller.

Stojakovic had 23 points in the third quarter, when the Kings overcame an eight-point deficit to lead by as many as 11.

Stojakovic made his first six shots in the third and was 9-of-10 -- part of a 13-for-21 effort. He was 6-of-8 on 3-pointers, making one with 6:37 remaining in the second quarter that gave Sacramento a 57-56 lead, its first since the opening quarter.

Notes: Kings G Francisco Garcia sprained his right ankle and left the game with 6:21 remaining in the second quarter. He was listed as day-to-day. ... The Kings are 14-7 in their last 21 against the Suns. ... Sacramento lost its first three games last season, but finished with 50 wins. ... The Suns, who were an NBA-high 34-10 in back-to-backs last year, split the first of 19 sets of consecutive-night games.
 
Also, from espn.com:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=251106021

Shareef Abdur-Rahim stayed humble in victory.

The power forward scored Sacramento's final six points and sealed the win with a blocked shot in the final seconds as the Kings beat the Phoenix Suns 118-117 on Sunday night.

Then he acknowledged that he could have been the scapegoat after missing two free throws with the Suns leading 114-112 with 1:16 to play.

"I was just happy that we got back and it didn't hurt us," he said. "We got a stop and were able to come back down and score. I got a couple of chances to redeem myself."

Abdur-Rahim broke a 114-114 tie when he made an 8-footer in the lane with 30 seconds left. Leandro Barbosa answered with a 3-pointer to put the Suns up 117-116. Abdur-Rahim then hit two free throws with 13.3 seconds left for the final margin.

Kurt Thomas fouled out on the play, a call which drew resounding boos while Abdur-Rahim scored the winning points.

"We certainly didn't get any calls," Suns guard Steve Nash said. "But I think the bottom line is that we showed some heart, fought back, and I thought the second unit was great. Leandro had an amazing game."

Abdur-Rahim also blocked a layup by Boris Diaw -- Phoenix's last good attempt to pull out the win. With 0.7 seconds left, Jim Jackson inbounded the ball to Brian Grant, but his 16-footer from the side was short, denying coach Mike D'Antoni his 100th victory.

Peja Stojakovic had 33 points to lead the Kings (1-2). Abdur-Rahim had 23 and 12 rebounds and Brad Miller added 17 and 10. Mike Bibby had his best game of the young season with 19 points and Bonzi Wells scored 16 for a big offensive night after the Kings scored 67 and 89 points their first two games.

"We really moved the ball well tonight," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We still didn't shoot as well as we can. We had a lot of assists, but they're a hard team to guard. You know they were going to make a run; they always do here."

Barbosa led eight double-figure scorers for the Suns (2-2) with 23. Nash had 18 points and 13 assists, and Shawn Marion had 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Diaw, another reserve, had 11 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds.

Miller came up big for the Kings with two key plays in the 20-second span before Abdur-Rahim's heroics. Miller got a defensive rebound that led to Abdur-Rahim's tip-in that tied it at 114-all with 40 seconds to go.

Seconds later, Miller took a charge from Marion for a turnover, setting up the dramatic finish.

The Suns made up a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter, taking the lead at 111-110 on a three-point play by Marion with 3:06 left to play and regaining it at 113-112 on a three-point play by Barbosa with 1:23 to go after two free throws by Miller.

Stojakovic had 23 points -- two off Mitch Richmond's franchise record for a quarter -- in the third period, when the Kings overcame an eight-point deficit to lead by as many as 11.

"We couldn't stop them in the third quarter," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "They got hot, and Peja wasn't missing anything. Rahim down low was a handful, but we figured it out in the fourth."

Stojakovic made his first six shots in the third and was 9-of-10 -- part of a 13-for-21 effort. He was 6-of-8 on 3-pointers, making one with 6:37 remaining in the second quarter that gave Sacramento a 57-56 lead, its first since the opening quarter.

He was 7-of-27 coming in.

"Before the game, I was focused," he said. "I just wanted to be aggressive. The first couple of shots didn't feel right, so I just had to keep playing. I can't get down and be upset. You know, you've got to think about your next shot, not about previous things."< Notes: Kings G Francisco Garcia sprained his right ankle and left the game with 6:21 remaining in the second quarter. He was listed as day-to-day. ... The Kings are 14-7 in their last 21 against the Suns. ... Sacramento lost its first three games last season, but finished with 50 wins. ... The Suns, who were an NBA-high 34-10 in back-to-backs last year, split the first of 19 sets of consecutive-night games.
 
Wow, two off Mitch's record...

I love those quotes from Peja.

Wonder why Raja Bell wasn't in the game much in the 4th/2nd half?
 
Diaw was really the player of the game on the Suns side of the ball...I mean 11 assists from a guy off the bench...Barbosa and Diaw were really the story of the game for the Suns despite both Nash and Marion's efforts tonight...both Diaw and Barbosa are having awesome years so far...and I'm actually happy for each of them individually...

Anyways-starters came together offensively...really well..I mean I thought even when they were down they were still playing well offensively and RA said thats still not as good as they can play offensively...YIKES! Well I guess when you think of all the offensive boards they got tonight...if all those went in originally WOW!
 
iheartBrad said:
Diaw was really the player of the game on the Suns side of the ball...I mean 11 assists from a guy off the bench...Barbosa and Diaw were really the story of the game for the Suns despite both Nash and Marion's efforts tonight...both Diaw and Barbosa are having awesome years so far...and I'm actually happy for each of them individually...

Anyways-starters came together offensively...really well..I mean I thought even when they were down they were still playing well offensively and RA said thats still not as good as they can play offensively...YIKES! Well I guess when you think of all the offensive boards they got tonight...if all those went in originally WOW!
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Same here on Diaw/Barbosa. Though not really a surprise with how they're helping them.

Barbosa's walk is hilarious.

Diaw was so ridiculous when he foul-blocked Martin's fast-break dunk attempt, and then walked towards him a tiny bit and looked at him like he was going/wanted to start something. Yet Martin wasn't even doing anything. Just found that odd.
 
Unfortunately, I was watching stats tonight (as usual), but it seemed like Diaw was everywhere, points, assists, rebounds. I've barely even heard of this guy. I suppose we can chalk him up as another Kings Killer.
 
Kings113 said:
Wow, two off Mitch's record...

I love those quotes from Peja.

Wonder why Raja Bell wasn't in the game much in the 4th/2nd half?
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I love those quotes from Peja also. Really would be cool if he has an all star season.
 
KingKong said:
Unfortunately, I was watching stats tonight (as usual), but it seemed like Diaw was everywhere, points, assists, rebounds. I've barely even heard of this guy. I suppose we can chalk him up as another Kings Killer.
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He can do that -- but he also helped us at a couple of critical points down the stretch because the worst thing he does is score. Joke is that he has normally been labeled an off guard, and yet the Suns small ball to such a degree that he is now playing 4 different positions including a lot of PF and C (he is 6'8").
 
One things for certain, after tonight's game, the Suns look like a very deep team. Babosa and Diaw seemed outstanding.
 
KingKong said:
One things for certain, after tonight's game, the Suns look like a very deep team. Babosa and Diaw seemed outstanding.
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People predicting their complete demise were a little off. The maestro is still there, and he's still got weapons.

Actually see this a lot like the Webber injury year for us in 03-04 -- Phoenix is going to keep on scoring just as much as they ever did. But that doesn't mean they don't need Amare. They are basically "faking" it, scoring too much from the perimeter, and no longer have the ability to match physical teams inside. Its a similar conundrum to the one we faced. They should score a lot and win a lot of games without Amare, but without him they will have no legitimate shot in the playoffs. The quesiton will just be is he going to come back hobbled like Webber did? Or can he come back and be himself?
 
Amare has youth on Webber, and considering he's had the micro-fracture surgery at a young age comparitively to Webber, I'm hoping he's able to expedite his recovery, but i'm sure it is much more complex than just that.
 
Kings113 said:
Diaw was so ridiculous when he foul-blocked Martin's fast-break dunk attempt, and then walked towards him a tiny bit and looked at him like he was going/wanted to start something. Yet Martin wasn't even doing anything. Just found that odd.
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well Diaw is from FRANCE.... hehehe :p
 
Peja was deadly in that 3rd quarter. Hopefully he has turned the corner and he backs it up next game.

Shareef just keeps on powering on. He has been the best King so far this season. Keep it up Reef :D
 
KingKong said:
Unfortunately, I was watching stats tonight (as usual), but it seemed like Diaw was everywhere, points, assists, rebounds. I've barely even heard of this guy. I suppose we can chalk him up as another Kings Killer.
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Ehh I don't know about that he has been killin everyone so far this season and before in the preseason...same goes for Barbosa...Suns fans are all singing happily on the back of the Boris Diaw bandwagon...and have since the first preseason game....
 
Really, I didn't know that ihb. Been kinda out of the loop lately. That's a great sign for the Suns if Diaw continues to tear it up. Not a good sign for us however.
 
BLNINJA #81 said:
I guess Diaw was playing well, so they were like like why take him out now?
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He's finished out their last two games.

He's playing phenominally. He SHOULD have had a triple double last night. I used to argue with Atlanta fans about how good Boris really was ... but they didn't want to hear it. He wasn't "worth a Snicker's bar" in one poster's brilliant summation.

I kept saying it was the lack of system that was hindering him. But, they didn't want to hear it.
 
vj9999 said:
Nash is a sore loser. I thought the game was called fairly by the officials.
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I have to agree. While they may have made a small miscue here or there, overall it was a pretty good job. In fact, one of the more fairly called games I have seen in awhile.
 
6th said:
I have to agree. While they may have made a small miscue here or there, overall it was a pretty good job. In fact, one of the more fairly called games I have seen in awhile.
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After the last season fantom calls that Suns got against us - They should never - ever complain about referees
 
piksi said:
After the last season fantom calls that Suns got against us - They should never - ever complain about referees
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Hehehe! Isn't that the truth?
 
Ditto about the game called pretty darn well. The comment made me think that for once in a long time I cannot recall a single badly blown call, and those are the ones I get pissed about. I also didn't get to watch the first quarter, fwiw.

I wish we'd still get the ball in Brad's hands more often. Let Brad and/or SAR touch the ball EVERY posession.

I am nothing but impressed with SAR's play so far. He's not perfect, but he is pretty darn effective in the post and his passing is underrated. Nice rebounding in the post.

Thank goodness Wells brings his rebounding every night, too. I have been impressed with him so far as well. Needs to work into the offense a little better, but that will come with time.
 
6th said:
I have to agree. While they may have made a small miscue here or there, overall it was a pretty good job. In fact, one of the more fairly called games I have seen in awhile.
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got to wonder if we are finally going to feel this way a lot more often than not this year. Finally having an inside presence will get us a lot more calls than we would skipping around the 3 point line.

was at the game in enemy territory last night...the crowd was pretty pissed at all the fouls. Gotta love that for a change. Just about had a heart attack and leaped about 3 feet when we got that charge call. Lots of dirty looks from that one. :D
 
Good to see Peja and Mike get off last night. They need to shoot well to keep the defense from collapsing in on SAR...he does well passing out of the double team but they tripled him a couple of time effectively. Our half court D is better so far this year but we still get beat down the middle for layups too often. Was actually glad to se Nash come back in the game in the fourth since their quick athletic backcourt was giving us fits. I think the play of the night was the last one where Phoenix had JJax inbounding the ball...for a shot by Brian Grant? Think I'd have had Grant inbounding to JJax and crew. Glad to see RA put Brian Skinner on the ball in that situation...wish we'd pressure the inbounds pass after a made bucket on a continual basis to give our guys more time to get back since our slow feet often allows quick offensive pressure and easy hoops.
 
Čarolija said:
Peja was deadly in that 3rd quarter. Hopefully he has turned the corner and he backs it up next game.

Shareef just keeps on powering on. He has been the best King so far this season. Keep it up Reef :D
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See what happens when you get easy lay-ups. Your get confidence...
 
deviflux said:
He's finished out their last two games.

He's playing phenominally. He SHOULD have had a triple double last night. I used to argue with Atlanta fans about how good Boris really was ... but they didn't want to hear it. He wasn't "worth a Snicker's bar" in one poster's brilliant summation.

I kept saying it was the lack of system that was hindering him. But, they didn't want to hear it.
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True.
Everyone in France and Europe knows that Boris Diaw is not a scorer but loves to pass and he is so versatile he can play 4 positions.
He needs to be in a team with good passing game to show how useful he can be and I'm happy he found that with Phoenix.

A funny quote from Claude Bergeaud (French National Team's coach) last year : "Atlanta doesn't seem to know how to use him. It is not that complicated : he can play every position."
 
vj9999 said:
Nash is a sore loser. I thought the game was called fairly by the officials.
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and Nash is the one complaining about fouls?
nash.jpg
 
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